New half-way house for wayward cats and dogs

Tenders are being called to develop the Goondiwindi Regional Council and MacIntyre Pet Rescue (MAPR) facility in Goondiwindi.

Wayward dogs and cats are about to get a new “half-way” house.

But it won’t be a “Taj Mahal”.

A new “pound” has been on the Council agenda for some time and there was criticism of an early plan which some residents said was too expensive and expansive. It was even called a “Taj Mahal”.

But the new concept is far more humble, according to the GRC, and serves two important roles.

Tenders are being called to develop the Goondiwindi Regional Council and MacIntyre Pet Rescue (MAPR) joint animal management facility in Goondiwindi.

The project is jointly funded by Council and MAPR and will see the construction of 15 covered animal pens, including five isolation pens for diseased animals or those potentially exposed to disease.

It will also provide a separate room for cats, their cages, and a treatment room for micro-chipping, de-sexing and other treatments.

“The partnership will provide MAPR with a home and will help them continue to deliver the wonderful service that they afford to our communities,” said GRC Councillor Rob Mackenzie, Regulatory Services Portfolio Chair.

“In return, MAPR will feed and manage impounded animals for Council that will reduce Council operational costs and also develop de-sexing programs,” Councillor Mackenzie said.

Council deals with around 150 dog impoundments each year. This is in addition to an average of 60 animal related requests per month.

“Anything we can do to reduce these ongoing operational costs is a good investment and this has been demonstrated by the cost-benefit modelling that has been completed,” Councillor Mackenzie said.

The tender process has been streamlined and Sean Rice from the Proterra Group has volunteered his time to help explain the process to prospective builders to help encourage more to submit a tender.

Tenders will close in the middle of March with the final report to go before Council in April.